Doll eye unit



March 2, 1937. M. DE CESARE ET AL DOLL EYE UNIT Filed Sept. 26, 1934 Patented Mar. 2, 1937 DOLL EYE UNIT Matteo De Cesare, Newark, N. 3., and David (John, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignors of one-third to said Colin, one-third to Sam Kalner, and one-third to Karl Olilbaum, New York, N. Y.

' Application September 26, 1934. Serial No. 745,558

14 Claims.

This invention relates to doll eye units.

An object of this invention is to provide a doll eye unit having means for yieldingly pressing the dolls eyes into the sockets of the dolls head and 5. adjusting the yielding pressure on said eyes.

A further object'of this invention is to provide a dolls eye unit which may be readily and simply assembled within the dolls head.

A further object of this invention is to provide -10 in a dolls eye unit of the character described improved means to prevent the dolls eyes from falling out of the sockets of the dolls head.

Another object of this invention is to provide a doll eye unit of the character described which 15 shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, smooth and positive in operation and, withal, practical and efficient to a high degree of use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will. be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of this invention,

Fig. l is a cross-sectional view of a dolls head provided with a doll eye unit embodying the invention;

Fig- 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top elevational view of our improved doll eye unit; 7

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 and illustrating another form of our invention;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 4; and r Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 6-45 of Fig. 4.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, if! designates a dolls head and mounted within said head is a doll eye unit l2 embodying the invention. The dollshead 1!! may be formed of a front molded portion l3 and a rear molded portion M, part of which only is shown in the drawing. Portions l3 and M are attached together along the seam l5. Said head portion I3 is forrned with eye sockets I la and with a recess 88 on the inner surface thereof in back of the forehead. The rearedge of the front portion I3 is formed on opposite sides thereof with notches i6 and received within said notches is a horizontal 55 cross rod H. The rod I1 is fixed in place upon assembling the front and rear portions l3 and id of the dolls head. Supported by the rod H and within recess is is a rail member 29 having a top wall 2i and side walls 22. The front end of the member 2B is received within the recess I8. Adjacent the rear end of the member 29, the side walls 22 are formed with aligned openings 23 receiving therethrough the rod ll. The rod may have prongs Ila formed thereon on opposite sides of rail 20 to retain said rail centrally located. It will be noted that the rail 2E is horizontal and extends from front to rear centrally of the dolls head.

The top wall M of the member 20 is formed with a longitudinal slot 24, for the purpose hereinafter appearing. Slidably received Within the rail member 26 is a member 25 made of an elongated strip of resilient metal and having a portion 26 contacting the underside of the wall 2! and being formed with an opening 2?. Extending from said portion 26 is a portion 25 projecting downwardly and being formed with a channel shaped portion 38 adjacent the lower end thereof. There is also received within the rail member 20 a stop or backing member 3! made of an elongated strip of metal, preferably heavier than the metal of which the member 25 is made. Said member 3! has a portion 32 contacting the underside of the portion 26 of member 25 and formed with a through opening 33. Extending downwardly from the portion 32 is a portion 3: 5. For fixing the members 25 and 3! to the rail member-20 a screw 31 extends through the openings 2! and 33 and is provided with a head 38 at the lower end thereof. A washer 39 formed with a screw threaded opening receives the upper end of the screw. The shank of the screw extends through the slot 2d of the rail member 20. It will now be understood that the members 25- and 3! may be attached to the member it by tightening the screw 31. For this purpose the head 35 of said screw is formed with a kerf onrthe underside thereof. It will be noted that the members 25 and 3! are fixed, one with respect to the other, by reason of the shank of the screw extending through the openings 21 and 34. However, said members may be moved together forwardly or rearwardly by loosening the screw 3'! to adjust the position thereof with respect to said rail.

Rotatably mounted within the head in a manner hereinafter appearing is a swinging eye device it. Said device comprises a pair of preferably hollow semi-spherical eye balls 12 pressed within. the eye sockets l l and mounted on the ends of a bridge 43 received within and engaged by the channel shaped portion 3a of the member 25. The bridge 43 may be of square cross section and the eye ball members d2 formed with square shaped diametric openings receiving said bridge therethrough. Opposite ends of the bridge 43 may be upset as at 44 to retain the eye ball members 43 thereon.

Fixed to the bridge 43 is a U-shaped strap 55, to the rear of which there is riveted or fixed in any other suitable manner a metal strip 47, having a weight 48 on the lower end thereof. A small loop or band A9 of rubber encircles a portion of the strip 4'! and is adapted to contact a projection 50 on the inner surface of the head portion l3 adjacent the rear of the chin and serving as a shock absorber when the device M swings in a clockwise direction, looking at Fig. 1 of the drawing. The strip 41 is provided with a rearwardly and downwardly projecting end portion 52 adapted to contact the portion 3 5 to the member 3| when the bridge and weight swing in a counter-clockwise direction, looking at Fig. l of the drawing, to limit rotation of the eye members 62 within the sockets.

It will now be understood that the yielding pressure of the eye balls @2 within the eye sockets may be adjusted by positioning the members 25 and 3|. Normally, the bridge 63 contacts the rear side 36a of the channel shaped portion 30. Should the dolls head receive a severe shaking, or should the eye balls 42 be poked through the eye openings of the dolls head, the bridge 43 will be moved rearwardly against the tension of the spring member 28 until the latter contacts the stop 34. In such position the bridge 13 cannot fall down or pass downwardly between the front of the dolls head and the spring 28, by reason of engagement ofthe bridge with the lower side of the channel shaped portion 3:). The upper side of the channel shaped portion also serves to limit a violent upward throwing of the device il.

In Figs. 4, 5 and 6 there is illustrated another form of our invention. As shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the dolls head Illa is likewise formed with a front portion l3 and a rear portion M, the front portion being formed with notches l6 for receiving a horizontal rod 1?. The front portion l3 of the head is likewise formed with a recess l8 on the inner surface thereof and in back of the forehead. Supported by the rod ii and head portion I3 is a bifurcated substantially U-shaped member 60 made of resilient metal and having a pair of parallel arms 6! interconnected at one end as at 69, the said interconnecting end being received within the recess it. The outer ends of the arms 6! are formed with openings receiving the rod I'l therethrough. The arms Si may be pressed toward each other, but movement of said arms away from each other is limited by upset portions or prongs 63 on the rod i'l. Said parallel arms 6i are formed with aligned openings 64 in intermediate portions thereof, for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Slidably mounted on and receiving arms BI is a member 85 having a bottom wall portion 56, side wall portion 6'! and inwardly extending flanges 68 at the top contacting the upper edges arms. The member 65 may be slidably moved on said arms by first pressing the arms 6| together to release the tabs 1!] from the openings 64.

Riveted or otherwise fastened to the tongue 6'! is a member 12 made of an elongated strip of resilient sheet metal. The member 12 comprises a portion 13 riveted to the tongue 69, as at 74 and having an end portion 15 extending downwardly below the tongue. The portion I3 is inclined upwardly and rearwardly and extends above the arms 6i. Extending from said portion E3 is a downwardly folded portion 1'! having a channel shaped portion 78 adjacent the lower end thereof. Extending from the lower end of the portion Ti is a rearwardly extending portion '56 and projecting upwardly from said portion 19 is an upwardly extending portion 85] adapted to contact the rear surface of said lower end 15 of the portion 13. A swinging dolls eye device 6!, similar to the swinging doll eye device shown in Fig. 1, may be mounted within the head Ilia, the bridge 43 being received within the channel shaped portion 15 of the spring member 72 and contacting the rear side of said channel shaped portion.

It will now be noted that the spring portion ll presses the doll eye members 42 into the eye sockets ll of the dolls head Ilia. The lower end it of the member 72 acts as a stop to limit rearward movement of the spring portion H, in case of shaking of the doll or poking of the eye members 42. The top and bottom sides of the channel shaped portion 28 serve to limit upward or downward movement of the bridge 43 for retaining the eye members 42 within the sockets and to prevent falling out of the device 4|. After the member 12 is riveted to member 65, a plurality of such inter-riveted members may be packed and shipped without the danger of interlocking, the engagement of the portions with the lower ends '15 of each member 12 preventing such interlocking engagement.

Our improved doll eye units may be readily assembled in the dolls head. Referring first to the assembly of the structure shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing, members 25 and 3! are mounted on the rail 20, the screw 38 being loosened, however, and the said members 25, 3| pushed rearwa-rdly with respect to the rail member. The rod I! is then passed through the openings 23 and the prongs l'la formed on the rod. The rail member 20 and rod I! are then placed in position on the front portion I3 of the dolls head, with the ends of the rod l I received within the notches It and the front end of the rail 28 received within the recess ill. The rear portion M of the dolls head is then fixed at the front portion, thus fixing within the head said rail and rod. The swinging eye device il is then placed within the dolls head by inserting same through the neck of the dolls head with a suitable instrument, to position the eyes 42 in sockets H. A screw driving tool may then be inserted through the neck of the dolls head and members 25*, 3! pushed forwardly to cause the spring portion 28 of the member 25 to resiliently press against the bridge 43. With the members 25 and 3E in proper position, the screw 31 is tightened by said tool to fix the members 25, 3! against sliding movement on the rail member.

Referring now to the assembly of the construction shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the member 66 is first assembled with the rod and placed in position on the front portion ll) of the dolls head.

The sliding member 65 is preferably disposed at the rear end of the rail adjacent the rod II. This may be done by pressing the arms 6| toward each other and sliding the member 65 rear- 7 wardly. The rear portion M of the dolls head may then be fixed to the front portion to also fix within the head the rod IT and the member H3. The swinging eye device t! is then placed within the head through the neck thereof and positioned to bring the eye members 42 within the sockets l l. With a tool inserted through the neck of the dolls head, the sliding member 65 may then be pushed forwardly until the tabs it snap into the openings 64 of the arms 6!. In such position the spring portion Tl resiliently presses the eyes into the sockets.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use. i As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might bemade in the embodiments set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What we claim is:

1. In combination with a dolls head, a rail member fixed within the head extending from the front of said head rearwardly, a member slidably mounted on the first member, a bridge having dolls eyes received within the sockets of the dolls head, and resilient means associated with said slidably mounted member for pressing the dolls eyes within said sockets, said bridge being movable bodily toward and away from the front of the dolls head and relatively to said rail member and slidable member.

2. In combination with a dolls head, a member within the head extending from front to rear, a member slidably mounted on the first member, a bridge having dolls eyes received within the sockets of the dolls head, means associated with said slidably mounted member for resiliently pressing the dolls eyes within said sockets, said bridge being movable bodily toward and away from the front of the dolls head and relatively to said rail member and slidable member, said resilient means comprising a spring having a channel adjacent the free end thereof for engaging the portion of the bridge between the eyes.

3. In combination with a dolls head, a member within the head extending from front to rear, a member slidably mounted on the first member, a bridge having dolls eyes received within the sockets of the dolls head, means associated with said slidably mounted member for resiliently pressing the dolls eyes within said sockets, said bridge being movable by said resilient means relatively to said slidably mounted member, and means.for retaining said slidably mounted member against sliding movement.

4. In combination with a'dolls head provided with a pair of eye sockets, a member fixed within said head and extending from front to rear thereof, a member slidably mounted on said first member, a spring having a channel portion adjacent one end thereof and mounted on said second member, a pair of dolls eyes mounted on .a bridge and received within said eye sockets,

said spring member being adapted to engage said bridge at said channel portion for yieldingly pressing said eyes within said sockets, said bridge being movable relative to said slidably mounted member.

5. In combination with a dolls head provided with a pair of eye sockets, a member fixed within said head and extending from front to rear thereof, a member slidably mounted on said first member, a spring on said second member, a pair of dolls eyes mounted on a bridge and received.

within said eye sockets, said spring being adapted to engage said bridge for yieldingly pressing said eyes within said sockets, said bridge being movable relative to said slidably mounted member, and stop means to limit rearward movement of said spring,

6. In combination with a dolls head provided with a pair of eye sockets, a member slidably mounted within said head for movement from front to rear with respect to said head, a strip spring fixed to said member, a pair of dolls eyes mounted on a bridge, said spring having a portion engaging a portion of the bridge between the eyes.

7. In combination with a dolls head provided with a pair of eye sockets, a spring slidably mounted within said head for movement from front to rear with respect to said head, a pair of dolls eyes mounted on a bridge, said spring comprising an elongated strip of resilient material and having a channel-shaped portion engaging a portion of the bridge between the eyes, and means for fixing said spring against sliding movement.

8. In combination with a dolls head provided with a pair of. eye sockets, a spring slidably mounted within said head for movement from front to rear with respect to said head, a pair of dolls eyes mounted on a bridge, said spring comprising an elongated strip of resilient material and having a channel-shaped portion engaging a portion of the bridge between the eyes, means for fixing said spring against sliding movement, and stop means to limit fiexing of said spring.

9. In combination with a dolls head provided with a pair of eye sockets, a member fixed within said head and extending from front to rear thereof and provided with an elongated slot, a spring contacting said member provided with an opening, a screw extending through said opening and slot and engaging a washer whereby said spring may be fixed to said member in various adjusted positions, a pair of dolls eyes mounted on the ends of a bridge and received within said sockets, said spring having a portion engaging the bridge between the eyes for yieldingly pressing said eyes within said sockets.

10. In combination with a dolls head provided with a pair of eye sockets, a member fixed within said head and extending from front to rear thereof and provided with an elongated slot, a spring contacting said member provided with an opening, a screw extending through said opening and slot and engaging a washer whereby said spring may be fixed to said member in various adjusted positions, a pair of dolls eyes mounted on the ends of a bridge and received within said sockets, said spring having a portion engaging the bridge between the eyes for yieldingly pressing said eyes within said sockets, and a stop member fixed to said first member to limit rearward flexing of said spring.

11. In combination with a dolls head provided with a pair of eye sockets, a horizontal rod fixed Within said said head and having the ends thereof engaging the side walls of said head, said head being formed with a recess on the inner surface thereof in back of the forehead, a bifurcated member having a pair of parallel arms interconnected at one end, said interconnected end being received within said recess, and the outer ends of said arms being formed with openings receiving said rod therethrough, a member receiving and being slidably mounted on said arms, said member having a downwardly projecting tongue, and a strip of spring metal fixed to said tongue and having an upwardly extending portion, and a portion extending downwardly from the upper end of said first portion, a pair of dolls eyes received within said sockets and being mounted on the ends of a bridge, and said downwardly extending portion of said spring strip engaging said bridge.

12. In combination with a dolls head provided with a pair of eye sockets, a horizontal rod fixed within said head and having the ends thereof engaging the side walls of said head, said head being formed with a recess on the inner surface thereof in back of the forehead, a bifurcated member having a pair of parallel arms interconnected at one end, said interconnected end being received within said recess, and the outer ends of said arms being formed with openings receiving said rod therethrough, a member receiving and being slidably mounted on said arms, said member having a downwardly projecting tongue, a strip of spring metal fixed to said tongue and having an upwardly extending portion, and a portion extending downwardly from the upper end of said first portion, a pair of dolls eyes received within said sockets and being mounted on the ends of a bridge, and said downwardly extending portion of said spring strip engaging said bridge, at least one of said parallel arms being formed with an opening, and a tab on said slidably mounted member adapted to be received within said opening to retain same against sliding movement on said arms.

13, In combination with a dolls head provided with a pair of eye sockets, a member slidably mounted within said head for movement from front to rear with respect to said head, a strip spring fixed to said member, a pair of dolls eyes mounted on a bridge, said spring having a channelled portion engaging said bridge for pressing the eyes into said sockets and means to limit movement of the engaging portion of said spring relative to said slidably mounted member.

14. n combination with a dolls head provided with a pair of eye sockets, a horizontal rod fixed within said head and having the ends thereof engaging the side walls of said head, a member having the front end thereof engaging the front of the dolls head and the rear end thereof engaging said horizontal rod, a member slidably mounted on said first member, a strip of spring metal fixed to said slidably mounted member, a bridge having dolls eyes thereon received within said sockets and said strip having a channelled portion engaging said bridge for pressing the eyes Within said sockets and for limiting the downward movement of said bridge.

MAT'IEO DE CESARE. DAVID COHN. 

